Pharmaceutical Sciences

What is Pharmaceutical Sciences?

Pharmaceutical sciences is the application of chemistry, biology and other sciences to the study of drugs. Graduates of the GW Pharmaceutical Sciences Program are well prepared to enter the public and private sector or to pursue graduate degrees.

Who Benefits from the Pharmaceutical Sciences Program?

The BSHS in Pharmaceutical Sciences is a unique program that offers individuals numerous pathways to exciting careers in:

Clinical research in pharmocology, genetics, clinical research administration, or clinical and translational research

Regulatory affairs (ask about our proposed dual degree program)

Other health professions, such as medicine, physician assistant, and physical therapy

What Will I Learn?

Students are equipped to analyze new scientific advancements, as well as ethical and legal issues that will inevitably arise in the rapidly evolving field of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Students conduct experiments in laboratory situations and develop skills to work in research teams. Throughout the program, students organize multiple sources of information to formulate a problem and a process to solve the problem in question. At the conclusion of the program, students will develop personal and professional philosophies that reflect commitment to the field and ongoing education.

Gain a Competitive Edge

Gain a competitive edge in the changing field of health care with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS). The BSHS in Pharmaceutical Sciences is located on GW’s Virginia Science & Technology Campus and partners with Shenandoah University’s (SU) Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. This unique partnership allows faculty to facilitate real-world experiences in drug development, genomics, pharmacology, toxicology, and drug policy.

Designed to educate future pharmacists, scientists, physicians, policy makers, and health professionals, the BSHS in Pharmaceutical Sciences program offers innovative, lab-based coursework that integrates basic and clinical sciences, emphasizes both research and practical skills, and educates students on the ethical and health policy issues related to drug development and patient care.

Situated on GW's Virginia Science & Technology Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, a thriving suburb of Washington, D.C., students have access to unrivaled internships in academic, private, and government research institutions. This program is ideal for career-changers who have completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, as well as transfer students.

Why GW?

GW SMHS is at the forefront of health and medical education , as well as biomedical science research, and its partnership with Shenandoah University makes the program especially unique.

GW, a leader in pharmacology and medicine, sought to leverage SU’s expertise in pharmaceutical science to enable students to transition to SU’s Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Program or pursue scientific research. Part of our unique curriculum enables interested BSHS in Pharmaceutical Sciences students to apply to the SU PharmD program in their second semester at GW. Those admitted to SU take the first year of PharmD courses at GW while completing their undergraduate requirements. Courses taken in the final year at GW count towards the completion of both the GW BSHS and SU PharmD degrees.